BUSINESS
Employers urged to take extra care of young people during summer jobs
Workers are far more likely to be injured in workplace accidents during the first few months of a new job than at any other time says the British Safety Council. With the holiday season upon us, employers are urged to pay extra attention to the health and safety of young people hired for temporary, summer work.
By taking some simple steps, says Alex Botha, Chief Executive Officer at the British Safety Council, the risk of injury to young workers can be easily prevented. “Vacation jobs are a great way for young people to earn money, get some experience and develop skills but we know they can be particularly vulnerable when they start work,” he said. “There are many reasons for this: a general lack of work experience; unfamiliarity with the workplace, machinery or work processes; a lack of physical capability to do the job or the confidence to raise concerns; a failure of emp loyers to provide the necessary training and familiarisation.” “Leadership is key in preventing injury to a young person at the start of their working life. Organisations need to ensure that safe and healthy work practices are the rule and they have a culture that promotes and values safe behaviour. The first step is to plan ahead and establish what the risks are - risks from lifting, working at height, using machinery, moving around the site, inhalation of dust, are the most common ones. Then, using the knowledge of experienced staff, decide
how best to control these risks including the provision of relevant training. Do check that young people have understood what they have been taught.” Risk education is crucial to achieve the British Safety Council’s vision that nobody is injured or made ill at work. Its Speak Up, Stay Safe campaign highlights the particular risks that young people face and puts good communication at the heart of good health and safety.
‘check that young people have understood what they have been taught’
A dedicated website with information, fact sheets on the law and good practice, top tips on working with young people as well as videos and links to organisations like the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is freely available at https://www.britsafe.org/speakupstaysafe
£20m to help local communities benefit from Green Deal
A new £20 million Green Deal Communities scheme to help local authorities drive streetby-street delivery of the Green Deal has been announced. Under new proposals from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), local authorities in England will be able to bid for funding from a £20 million pot to help households benefit from the Green Deal on a street-by-street or area basis. Local authorities will identify target streets and areas in their regions that could most benefit from the Green Deal, and then offer incentives to households in these areas to encourage them to install energy efficiency home improvements under the Green Deal. Local authorities will propose incentives as part of their bids for funding, which will be assessed by DECC. Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “If we are going to deliver the Green Deal at real scale then we need a ‘street-by-street’ vision and a ‘streetby-street’ plan! It starts here! However, local authorities really know their areas best. They know which streets and properties could most benefit from a Green Deal to improve their energy efficiency, and what local people need to provide them with a greater choice. “The Coalition is committed to helping hard pressed consumers and this £20 million funding will help more families benefit from the Green Deal, making homes warmer and more efficient, and protecting consumers against rising energy bills.” Local authorities should submit bids to [email protected] up to 31st December 2013 or until the funds are exhausted.
To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com
AUG 2013
73